Four years ago Ryan Savage was diagnosed with cancer - but look at him now!

The seven-year-old, from Billingham, has been NED (no evidence of disease) for 15 months, which is made even more special considering the youngster wasn’t expected to survive past Christmas 2009.

Mum Lisa, 32, said: “It’s a relief but we have been here before and been told he’s been in remission so basically we take each day as it comes.

“Ryan is doing everything any other seven-year-old boy can do now although sport can leave him out of breath.

“He also can’t talk very well because of the treatment and, with him being three when he was ill, he needs to catch up on his development.

“He still has a lot of pain. One of the two surgeries he had a couple of ribs removed and he sometimes walks with a limp and can get tired very suddenly.

“We’re still building up his immune system so we have to be cautious and keep him away from people with colds.”

But Ryan, who has a big sister, Sheila-Ann, 13 - is back at school at Roseberry Primary.

Ryan Savage with mum Lisa and sister Sheila-Ann

“He is learning what normal boys do and mum is learning how to step back and let him,” said Lisa, who works at the theatre bar at Billingham Forum and is also a qualified tattooist.

“His sister is extremely protective of him. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

Ryan loves playing dodgeball and is also a big wrestling fan.

Lisa says the family wants to give something back so she has organised a fundraising wrestling event with CAWS (Charity Appeal Wrestling Shows) in aid of the charity, Brave Hearts. Ryan won a Brave Hearts award in 2011.

“Ryan is a huge wrestling fan - his favourites are John Cena and Rey Mysterio - so we decided to hold a wrestling night,” said Lisa, who added both her employer and her children’s schools - including Sheila-Ann’s school, Northfield - have been very supportive and understanding throughout Ryan’s treatment.

“He loved it when he got his Brave Heart award and still talks about it.

“He said ‘Mummy why don’t we ask CAWS to do a show for Brave Hearts?’”

And Lisa won’t be sitting on the sidelines watching - she will be getting on to the stage and doing a spot of firebreathing!

“I’ve been training for about two years now but I’ve only just started performing - and that’s all thanks to Ryan and his love of wrestling,” she said.

“I do it for CAWS. I don’t get paid for it; I just do it purely for charity.

“It tends to draw a crowd so it’s more money for charity.”

Ryan was just three in 2009 when parents Lisa and Tim were told he had neuroblastoma. The following year, just before Christmas, a second tumour was found.

“There is still a small residual tumour behind his heart which the doctors keep monitoring to make sure it doesn’t do anything,” said Lisa, who is now divorced from Tim.

“It’s too risky for surgery and if it’s not doing anything we don’t want to aggravate it.”

The wrestling event in aid of Brave Hearts North East will be held on Friday, September 20, at Roseberry Primary School on Marsh House Avenue in Billingham.

Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets are £5 on the door, £4 in advance and £15 for a family of four. Call 07753 424826 for tickets.